KIERAN TIERNEY is likely to be in his usual No.3 slot when Celtic take on Livingston in the must-win Premiership encounter at Parkhead tomorrow night.
The World Cup-bound Scotland international defender was led off the pitch near the end of the dramatic 2-1 Scottish Cup extra-time win over Dundee at the same venue at the weekend.
Tierney was caught flush in the face following a wayward kick by Cameron Congrieve and was forced to have immediate treatment on the pitch.
He was helped off with suspected concussion and X-rays later showed a broken bone in his nose.
NO FLAGGING…Kieran Tierney is battling to face Livingston tomorrow night.
However, interim manager Martin O’Neill believes the fans’ favourite will have recovered fully in time for the visit of the West Lothian outfit.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined the champions last week after being released by Turkish club Besiktas in late August, could also be in contention for a debut at some stage of the confrontation against the top-flight strugglers.
Offering an update on Tierney’s situation, O’Neill said: “Kieran, as you know, came off with a suspected concussion and he broke a bone in his nose, but he is okay.
“I think he wants to be available.”
Former Arsenal, Liverpool and England midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain has been preparing for his baptism for the past two days alongside his new team-mates at Lennoxtown.
Commenting on the 32-year-old 35 times-capped player’s condition and chances of a first outing, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “He is fine, really fine.
“He trained yesterday and today, so he is looking pretty good.
“We will have a little look at that later today.
“I haven’t picked the squad yet, but there is a possibility of that.
